South Korean multinational electronics company LG Electronics officially launched its new variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solution, the Multi V IV, in Newtown, Johannesburg, earlier this month, during which the product’s 30% improvement in efficiency, compared with its predecessor, the Multi V III, was highlighted.

Speaking at the launch, LG Electronics South Africa CEO IL Hwan Lee said the fourth- generation VRF system offered customers unmatched energy efficiency, as four of LG’s proprietary innovative technologies had been incorporated into the system – the compressor, the heat exchanger, oil and refrigerant.

The new air-conditioning solution is said to offer operational savings and convenience. The product has an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 4.85 and its high-pressure oil return (HiPOR) system effectively resolves issues of compressor energy wastage.

Lee noted that the Multi V IV’s EER was one of the highest for a VRF system worldwide and effectively reduced energy loss under partial load conditions.

Further, owing to the HiPOR, the Multi V IV’s coefficient of performance in heating operations is increased by 6.7%, and by 5.4% in cooling operations.

The new variable heat exchanger circuit selects the optimal paths for heating and cooling, contributing a 15% improvement to integrated energy efficiency.

Meanwhile, LG’s active refrigerant control automatically regulates the amount of circulating refrigerant for each cycle in five-step incre- ments, leading to a 3% increase in efficiency.

The smart oil return system monitors the oil volume in real time, adjusting levels only when needed and eliminating any major cause of energy wastage.

“The Multi V IV’s cooling operational range has been expanded from –5 °C to –10 °C, providing an ideal solution for spaces that require chilly conditions all year, for example, computer server rooms. Further, the continuous heating operation in defrost function reduces defrosting times, improving heating capacity by as much as 27% in winter,” Lee explained.

The unit is also equipped with LG’s Snowdrift Detection system, which turns on the outdoor unit’s fan to remove snow build-up, when necessary.

Further, the smart control system enables users to remotely monitor and adjust settings through an easily installed smartphone application. The system also supports piping up to 1 000 m in length, while a lighter outdoor unit makes installation easier and more cost effective.

Future Growth and Transformation
To overcome economic challenges, Lee said, the company had undergone a transformation process that was focussed on re-evaluating business practices.

“We have identified and focused our improvement efforts on supply chain management, spares availability, customer care and after-sales service support. We have implemented new policies and procedures, which we believe to be more user friendly and convenient.

“We have focused on improving these areas of our business to ensure that we can provide customers with a total solution and ensure that LG solidifies partnerships,” he stated.

LG air-conditioning department head Louis Nortje highlighted some of the changes to improve operations, such as his department now comprising the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) divisions.

The company has also focused on restructuring its account management by reducing the number of accounts form more than 300 to 84.

Nortje explained that this enabled the company to streamline its account management, increase its resources and select and focus on its top dealers and consultants.

LG also has distributors in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Bloemfontein to effectively manage residential and commercial air-conditioning product portfolios.

The company has also expanded its sales team’s capability by providing them with tools to report market information electronically and in real time.

In terms of supply chain management, Nortje said LG had strengthened its capability to ensure timeous product supply – the Multi V IV’s lead time had been improved from the usual 8 to16 weeks to immediate availability on selected indoor units and accessories.

He added that the biggest improvement was in after-sales service. In the past seven months, the division’s spares fill ratio had increased from 82% to 95%, with the global standard being 95%.

“We have focused on making these improvements to remain competitive and provide better customer service. There still are areas that require improvement and we will endeavour to address these in the following months,” Nortje concluded.